Large television screens hanging from the stage suddenly flashed on, and we were shown an image of the Pope’s motorcade pulling into the seminary drive. The entire crowd burst into applause – simply to see the black limousine with the Vatican flags pull up. The Pope first went inside the seminary where he met briefly with disabled children. After that, he boarded the popemobile and started for the stage. Everyone craned their necks to see where he was.

Eventually, he made his way behind the stage and, in a few minutes, he was walking out onto the stage. The crowd went wild! I’ve never seen people cheer so much and for so long.

It was interesting to see Pope Benedict react to his reception. He almost looked a little overwhelmed at first. From what I’ve seen of him, Pope Benedict has struck me as a shy man, used to the academic world in which he is so competent. Yet, here he was being greeted like a rock star. He waved to the crowd and walked back and forth, smiling and acknowledging the applause. Eventually he sat down and, after quite a few introductions and ceremonial gestures of welcome, got a chance to deliver his message to the young people of America.

The Pope seemed to want to make it clear that he was not here simply to have a grand party with the youth of America. He had a very import mission to accomplish. It seemed to me that the Pope wanted to confirm and strengthen our faith and offer some important teaching and encouragement. It was obvious that his goal was to challenge us to take the faith very seriously and learn the difficult lessons of Christian discipleship.

I was impressed by his address. The Pope does not speak down to young people. He does not see them as simply “the future of our Church.” When people tell youth that they are “the future of the Church,” they give the impression that Church leadership really doesn’t take young people seriously and, therefore, young people are relieved from their Christian responsibilities today. The Pope sees that the young are a vibrant and vital part of the Church today.

“And what of today?” the Holy Father challenged us. “Who bears witness to the Good News of Jesus on the streets of New York, in the troubled neighborhoods of large cities, in the places where the young gather, seeking someone in whom they can trust?”

It is clear – the Catholic youth of America take their faith with them, wherever they go. In fact the first words out of the Pope’s mouth were: “Dear Young Friends, ‘Proclaim the Lord Christ … and always have your answer ready for people who ask the reason for the hope that is within you.’ With these words from the First Letter of Peter I greet each of you with heartfelt affection.”

There was no doubt about it. The Pope came to challenge the youth of America to be firm, resolute and credible witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

And the thousands of young people standing around us paid careful attention to what the Pope had to say. The ‘rock concert’ atmosphere was gone, but all of the attentiveness and love remained. When we cheered, it was to respond to parts of the Pope’s message which resonated with us.

I remember, in particular, the crowd erupted into loud and passionate cheers after the Pope made this statement:  “Dear friends, truth is not an imposition. Nor is it simply a set of rules. It is a discovery of the One who never fails us; the One whom we can always trust. In seeking truth we come to live by belief because ultimately truth is a person: Jesus Christ.”

The Pope also addressed Seminarians in particular. I was touched in a special way when he talked about the vocation to the priesthood – a vocation that I feel God is calling me to and for which I am preparing. The Pope exhorted us (seminarians) with words that especially resonated with me as a Byzantine: “Strive for a pattern of life truly marked by charity, chastity and humility, in imitation of Christ, the Eternal High Priest, of whom you are to become living icons.”

It was an amazing experience to see the Pope and hear his words in person. I’ve read quite a few of his books and read written transcripts of his homilies before and have never walked away from reading him uninspired. Seeing him speak in person was completely different. His words were more powerful and touched me in a more direct way, since I was able to see the love and care for us in his face and hear the urgency and conviction in his voice.

As part of our trip, my brother seminarians and I attended Divine Liturgy at St. Mary’s in Jersey City, N.J. and enjoyed a lovely visit with the parish family over coffee and donuts after the liturgy. The parishioners were lovely people who really opened their parish up to be a “home away from home” for all of us – seminarians they had never met. It seemed to be a fitting conclusion to our trip.

The youth of America strengthened us with their enthusiasm, Pope Benedict strengthened us with his teaching and the people of St. Mary’s strengthened us through their example. Indeed, they showed us through their generous hospitality what it means to allow the Gospel to illuminate even the littlest aspects of everyday life.

by Subdeacon Daniel Forsythe